N. C. State softball is 18-32; 6-15 in conference. State softball is currently being coached by Assistant Coach Deven Boland and Assistant Coach Carson Shaner-this after Head Coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift, Assistant Coach Patrick Swift and Pitching Coach Ketarah DeVries got "shown the door"-and rightly so as noted in the "Technician":

NC State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan announced Thursday, March 2 that NC State softball head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift will be dismissed immediately and will not coach the remainder of the 2023 season.

The decision comes after a rocky start to the season in which the Wolfpack lost its first six games and currently sits with an overall record of 5-10. Through 15 games, NC State has been outscored by a combined 43 runs, and the team's average margin of defeat in its 10 losses is 6.9 runs.

While State currently sits in 11th place in the conference, State does have a chance to move up into 10th place and thus make the ACC Tournament if they win 2 of 3 at 3-17 conference wise Pitt next weekend. Currently Georgia Tech is in 10th place and has finished the regular season with a conference record of 7-16. Further, State could even move up into 9th place by sweeping Pitt. Virginia who also has finished their conference regular season currently sits in 9th with an 8-16 record. State could even move up to 8th place in the conference where Syracuse with three remaining games at home against last place B.C. sits with a record of 7-12-1. While State did not play either Georgia Tech or Virginia during the regular season, Syracuse holds the tie breaker having won two of three form State during the regular season.

After recently watching a number of State's softball games, I would like to write a few lines about a few of State's players with eligibility remaining who played pretty well in the games I watched. Here is hoping that with the hiring of a new coach these players remain with State's softball Program; however, in today's environment, and with the team's past history of numerous transfers at the end of a season, that would be a big "if".

The best of State's players is Hannah Goodwin who is a dynamic third basement. Hannah is listed as a sophomore after having missed her sophomore season (2021) while playing for Clemson due to injury. She was a preseason All-ACC selection in 2021 and only played for Clemson in one game in 2022. As a freshman at Clemson, she started 26 games at short stop. For State Hannah is hitting 341 with 9 home runs while fielding 938. Would be surprised if she transfers.

Freshman Amanda Hasler has started 47-49 games as the catcher for State, is hitting 280, is fielding 980, has hit 9 homeruns and has been hit by a pitch 14 times . Amanda has thrown out 8 of 43 baserunners and was ranked 10th in the 2023 class by extra inning softball. No doubt a number of schools with good programs might want a catcher with the skills of Hasler.

Redshirt junior Aisha Weixlmann is State's fireball pitcher reaching 70+ mph on pitches. In the games I have watched she was State's relief pitcher/closer. Aisha's ERA is 4.41. Her record at this time is 7-9 with 9 saves. Aisha has started 9 games and appeared in 30. Although not a starting pitcher, Aisha is still the ace of the pitching staff. Pretty sure will stick with the Pack.

Freshman Makayla Marbury starts at short stop for the Pack. Makayla is currently hitting 242 with 7 homeruns. Makayla is fielding 933. Makayla was a 2019 Washington First Team All-Metro. One might think she also will stick with the Pack.

Freshman Madison Inscoe has started 24 games out of 25 appearances. Her record is 8 wins and 13 losses and she has an ERA of 4.36. Madison is also a two-way player who is hitting 160-plays first base. Madison's high school stats are impressive:

High School / Prep Career

• 2021 Virginia VISAA Player of the Year
• 2021 All-Tidewater Player of the Year
• 2021 TCIS Conference Champion
• 3x First Team All-State
• 3x First Team All-Conference
• 3x First Team All-Region
• 2x Virginia State VISSA Div II Champion (2019, 2021)
• 2x Extra Inning Softball First Team All-American
• AP and Honors Student
• Member of the National Honor Society

Note, that State has not had a good deal of luck in having skilled freshman pitchers stick around.

Let's Go Pack! Win three at Pitt and make the ACC Tournament.